Atari reveals first pictures of its new games console

Atari has revealed images of its new Ataribox, the company's first video games console in more than 20 years. The Ataribox will come in black with ribbed lines and wood paneling, a throwback to the original console released in 1977. The Ataribox will feature four USB slots, an HDMI connector and an SD card reader. Atari said the front panel could either come in wood or glass and that the company planned to launch two versions of the console: a wood edition and a black/red edition. Atari did not release any details of the internal features of the new device, but said that while it would be re-releasing classic games the console would also feature modern gaming content. Last month the company released a teaser video of the new console. The device is expected to be based on PC technology, Atari chief executive Fred Chesnais told the Gamesbeat website.Atari said there would be further updates on the new console in the coming months.Classic Atari games that could be making a return on the new console include Pac-Man, Pong, Space Invaders and Asteroids.

The company's last full release was the Atari Jaguar in 1993 before it was overtaken in the console market by rivals such as Sony, Nintendo and Sega. Atari's return to gaming devices comes after the firm filed for bankruptcy in 2013, returning a year later with a focus on mobile and casino games.

Atari said it will be sharing details such as specs, games and pricing of the new device "step by step", asking for feedback from current fans on what they want from the console.The Ataribox is the latest device to join the revival in retro gaming in recent years following the success of Nintendo's re-launched NES Mini in 2016. Nintendo is now planning to release an SNES Mini gaming console in September, a new version of its classic 1990s device. Atari released its first console in 1977, the Atari 2600, originally called the Atari VCS. The device was controlled by a joystick and one button and is considered one of the first devices to popularise playing games using different cartridges that could be switched in and out.